Farkle Rules: How to Play the Dice Game
Farkle is a dice game for two or more players played with six dice. On your turn you roll all six, set aside at least one scoring die (a 1 is 100, a 5 is 50, three of a kind is the face × 100), then choose: roll the remaining dice to add more points, or bank what you have. If a roll has nothing that scores, that's a Farkle: you lose every point from that turn. The first player to 10,000 points triggers a final round, and the highest score wins.
What you need
- Six standard dice and a cup or tray to roll them in.
- Two or more players: Farkle works for any number, but 2 to 6 is most fun.
- Paper and a pen to keep score (or play Farkle on GameLake, which adds it all up for you).
Farkle has many other names: Zilch, 10,000, Ten Thousand, Hot Dice, Dix mille, Zehntausend. The rules below are the most common modern version.
How a turn works
- Roll all six dice.
- Set aside at least one scoring die (or scoring set). You can keep more than one, but every die you keep must score, and the scoring dice must come from the same roll.
- Decide: roll or bank. Roll the dice you didn't keep to try for more points, or bank your turn total and pass the dice on.
- Keep going for as long as you dare. Each roll, set aside at least one more scoring die.
- If a roll has no scoring dice at all, you've Farkled: your turn ends and you score nothing for it.
Which dice score
| Dice | Points |
|---|---|
| Each 1 | 100 |
| Each 5 | 50 |
| Three 1s | 1,000 |
| Three 2s / 3s / 4s / 5s / 6s | 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 / 600 |
| Four of a kind | 1,000 |
| Five of a kind | 2,000 |
| Six of a kind | 3,000 |
| Straight 1-2-3-4-5-6 | 1,500 |
| Three pairs | 1,500 |
| Four of a kind + a pair | 1,500 |
| Two triplets | 2,500 |
2s, 3s, 4s and 6s on their own score nothing; they only count in three of a kind or bigger sets. There's a full breakdown with examples in our Farkle scoring chart.
What is a Farkle?
A Farkle is a roll where no die scores: no 1, no 5, no three of a kind and no six-dice combination. When it happens, your turn ends immediately and every point you set aside that turn is lost. Points you banked on earlier turns are safe.
Hot dice
If you manage to set aside all six dice as scoring dice in one turn, you have hot dice: pick all six up and roll them again, keeping the points you've built so far. There's no limit: you can go round again and again, as long as you don't Farkle.
Getting on the board (optional)
Many tables play a house rule that your first bank must be at least 500 points. Until then, you have to keep rolling until your turn reaches 500 (or Farkle trying). On GameLake this is an option called 500 to get on the board, off by default.
Winning: 10,000 and the final round
The first player to bank 10,000 points or more sets the target. Every other player then gets one last turn to beat it. After that, the highest score wins. If you're chasing the leader in that final turn, remember you need to pass them: stopping short is the same as losing.
Common variations
- Three pairs sometimes score 750 instead of 1,500.
- Four, five or six of a kind are sometimes worth double, triple or quadruple the three-of-a-kind score.
- Some tables add a three-Farkle penalty: Farkle three turns in a row and lose 1,000 points.
- Some games are shorter, to 5,000 points.
Agree on the variations before you start. Then put the rules to work with our Farkle strategy guide, or play Farkle against Hops the frog.
Frequently asked questions
How many dice do you need for Farkle?
Six standard dice. You roll all six at the start of each turn, then fewer as you set scoring dice aside.
What happens when you Farkle?
Your turn ends and you lose all the points you built up during that turn. Points banked on earlier turns are kept.
Do you have to keep all your scoring dice in Farkle?
No. You must keep at least one scoring die each roll, but you can roll the others again. Keeping fewer gives you more dice for the next roll.
Can you add dice from different rolls to make three of a kind?
No. Scoring combinations must come from a single roll. Two 4s from one roll and a 4 from the next score nothing.
How many points do you need to win Farkle?
10,000 in the standard game. The first to reach it triggers a final round in which everyone else gets one more turn.
Is Farkle the same as Zilch?
Yes. Zilch, 10,000, Hot Dice and Farkle are names for the same family of dice games, with small differences in scoring.